Gibraltar investigate claims Spanish police pelted with missiles

Police in Gibraltar have launched an investigation into claims that Spanish Guardia Civil officers have been pelted with missiles by those angry at being held in long queues to cross the border into Spain.

An estimated 10,000 workers who live in Spain but are employed in Gibraltar cross the border each day, by far the majority of them are SpaniardsPhoto: Reuters

The Royal Gibraltar Police confirmed it had received official reports that Spanish officers had been attacked while carrying out the controversial checks at the frontier on Wednesday afternoon.

An RGP spokesman said the alleged attacks took place as people waited up to four hours to leave Gibraltar.

"The alleged missile throwing is reported to have come from the area of the motorcycle lane, which at the time was full of cross-border workers unable to return home," he said.

"It came after insults and abusive comments were directed at the Guardia Civil. The RGP is, notwithstanding the number of RGP officers present at the frontier managing the traffic, unable to substantiate the complaint at this time."

An estimated 10,000 workers who live in Spain but are employed in Gibraltar cross the border each day, by far the majority of them are Spaniards.

Meanwhile Downing Street has threatened to take legal action against Spain for the "disproportionate and politically motivated" border checks.

Gibraltar complained of a "serious incursion" after a Guardia Civil diving team entered the territory's waters and inspected the concrete reef. They then posted photographs online showing them unfurling a Spanish flag on the seabed.

Mr Picardo met with William Hague, the Foreign Secretary and will meet with Prime Minister David Cameron on Friday.

Brussels have agreed to send a monitoring unit to the border in September.